Altai - "The Golden Mountains"
is the mountain land on the south of Siberia which keeps ecological purity
and untouched wild nature so far. The communication with local people,
many of whom are followers of exotic doctrines- pagans (Shamanists), followers
of Roerikh and Old Believers - gives an unique social experience. A number
of archeological artefacts (from 1,500,000 BCE!), including rock arts
(petroglyphs) and Paleolithical sit en our route, makes visit to Altai
not only trekking adventure but cognitive trip as well!

Horse riding trip to the Kucherlinskoye
and Akkem lakes area allows to see all the beauty of the Altai mountains.
This unique trip is based on the idea of riding through mountain taiga
to the beautiful Kucherla Lake, then crossing simple pass and placing
a base camp (BC) on the Akkem lake in front of amazing Akkem wall. Then,
the travellers make side trips to the Akkem glacier and misterious Yarlu
Valley with Roerikh followers shrine. The trip continues in Tekelu
river gorge and in the the right-side gorges of Akkem valley to Oroktoy
river, then crossing Akkem 2nd time and through simple Kuzuyak pass return
to Tungur base.

You don't need previous horse riding experience- we provide training
route at the very beginning of the trip!

To get much taste of Altai Mountains nature and more adrenaline, we offer 13 days rafting and horseride trip (see Variant 1).

For those who haven't much time, but want reach Mt. Belukha on horseback, we offer shorter 10-days trip (see Variant
2).

For those who haven't much time, but want to try both horseback and rafting, we offer combined rafting a horseriding 11-days trip to Mt. Baida (Mt. Belukha neighbourhood, see Variant
3).

After the trip, you can go rafting on Katun river, make interesting excursions
to natural phenomenas and archeological sites - see Options
and Services
in Tungurbase below!

Transfer to the starting point of rafting - Krasnoyarka village. Start rafting down Koksa River. The stream is fast and in two hours we come to the Gromotukhinsky rapid (grade 2). In 40-50 min we moor to the Ust-Koksa village. Camping overight on a small Katun island. 30 km, 4-5 hrs.

Day 3

In the beginning of the Uymonskaya Valley Katun splits into numerous channels. Camping in the neighbourhood of the Multa village, excursion to the Nicholas Roerich Museum in the village of Upper Uimon. 30 km, 4-5 hrs.

Day
4

Rafting Multa – Tiungur. The stream is very fast. There are some small rapids en route. Return to the base, dinner in the cafe and overnight in tents. 30 km, 5-6 hrs.

Oroktoy stream - Tukhman River (2000 m). We ride through deep Siberian taiga then climb up to alpine meadows. Overnight at a picturesque meadow with great panoramic view of Mt. Belukha (4506 m), the highest summit of Altai and entire Siberia, and surrounding peaks.14 km, 6-7 hrs.

Day 7

Tukhman River – Kulduairy Lake (2000 m) - Tekelu River (1800 m). The trail goes near the same altitude and leads us to the picturesque Kulduairy Lake. We may have a chance to see a maral (Siberian deer spice whose hornes are using for medical purposes, especially in Chinese medicine) or a marmot. After a plateau with some weirdly shaped rocks and stones we take a short but steep descent and finally reach our campsite on the bank of the Tekelu River. 30 km, 7-8 hrs.

Day 8

Tekelu River - mountain hut Ak-Kem (1950 m). After breakfast we cross Tekelu River and climb the Sarybel Pass (n/c, beaten trail). Descent to Yarlu valley. Then we cross Ak-Kem River and in 1/2 hr we reach the Upper Camp. There is a canteen, a sauna and a traditional Altaian dwelling – ail- there. 15 km, 6-7 hrs.

Ak-kem - the Karaturek pass (3060 m). Climbing up the Karatiurek pass is really a serious endurance test. The descend from the pass is steep and goes on medium size talus. Overnight up the tree line.18 km, 5-6 hrs.

Oroktoy stream - Tukhman River (2000 m). We ride through deep Siberian taiga then climb up to alpine meadows. Overnight at a picturesque meadow with great panoramic view of Mt. Belukha (4506 m), the highest summit of Altai and entire Siberia, and surrounding peaks.14 km, 6-7 hrs.

Day
4

Tukhman River – Kulduairy Lake (2000 m) - Tekelu River (1800 m). The trail goes near the same altitude and leads us to the picturesque Kulduairy Lake. We may have a chance to see a maral (Siberian deer spice whose hornes are using for medical purposes, especially in Chinese medicine) or a marmot. After a plateau with some weirdly shaped rocks and stones we take a short but steep descent and finally reach our campsite on the bank of the Tekelu River. 30 km, 7-8 hrs.

Day 5

Tekelu River - mountain hut Ak-Kem (1950 m). After breakfast we cross Tekelu River and climb the Sarybel Pass (n/c, beaten trail). Descent to Yarlu valley. Then we cross Ak-Kem River and in 1/2 hr we reach the Upper Camp. There is a canteen, a sauna and a traditional Altaian dwelling – ail- there. 15 km, 6-7 hrs.

Ak-kem - the Karaturek pass (3060 m). Climbing up the Karatiurek pass is really a serious endurance test. The descend from the pass is steep and goes on medium size talus. Overnight up the tree line.18 km, 5-6 hrs.

Not included: Travel to and from Barnaul,
visa fees, alcoholic beverages and other luxuries, personal items.

Itinerary
(variant 3, Mt. Baida horseride + Katun rafting 11 days):

Day 1

Arrival
to Barnaul. 12-hrs bus trip to Tungur village (750 km). Overnight in mountain
base, tent camping near the bank of the Katun river. You can leave
extra luggage here. Optional Russian bania (sauna). You can find here also the cafes (including one in Altai national dwelling - ail, offering national dishes), a sport ground and gear rental facility. The name of the village - Tungur- means a Shaman tamburin in Altai language.

Day 2

Horseriding Tungur BC (850 m) – Mt. Baida (2070 m) –Tungur River. We ascent through the cedar forest and see the change of landscapes from taiga (primeval Siberian forest) to high alpine meadows. This route boasts hypnotic views of the huge snowy massif of Mount Belukha. There are a lot of ails on the way. Crossing the forest (there was fire in 1975 here) we camp in the cedar forest (in bad weather it’s possible to stay in ail) near the Tungur River. Dinner is made on fire. 7-8 km, 5-6 hrs, + 1150 m.

Day
3

The Turgunda River - Sourсe of the Dety-Kochek River. Short easy walking day. Upon climbing the pass we can see beautiful pink-coloured slopes around us. Along the Dety-Kochek river, crossing the flower meadow, we come to the Turgundinskoe plateau. Cedar forest is disappearing here and we come to the Turgunda river. Prepare firewood during the road and make a camp near 9th Turgundinskoe Lake. After lunch we have small excursion to the Kyzyl Mountain that can be called “walking under clouds”. Mt. Belukha is seen from everywhere. 3 km, 3-4 hrs, +500 m.

Day 4

Short excursions to the top of Kyzyl-Kuiu mountain (2 808 m), walking along the plateau, swimming in the 9th Turgundinskoe lake. Picturesque view of Katunsky range and the Katun river from the plateau. You can see Mt. Belukha so close to you as is impossible on the other routes of Belukha region. It is also possible to see the panorama of Terekhtinskiy range from the top (2808 m). 2-3 km.

Day 5

The Turgunda River – the Kyzylairy pass – the Kyzyl-Uituk River. After climbing up the Kyzylairy pass we see marvelous deep mountain lakes (5 m). We can leave our backpacks and climb a little bit higher to see other lakes in the valley of the Kyzylairy River. Descent from the pass is not difficult and goes sometimes by snow. Going down along the river, crossing numerous brooks, broken trees and grass of human height we come to confluence of the Kyzyl-Uituk River with Malaya Katanda river. Go down the Malaya Katanda River, come to beautiful mountain meadows. Campsite is near local hut. 6-7 km, 5-6 hrs, -1000 m.

Day 6

M. Katanda River– the Katandinski pass - Maral farm – Tungur BC. Going down along the Malaya Katanda River, through the Katanda village (near the village there are ancient burial mounds). Climbing up to an easy Katandinski pass, we can see local people mowing fields, crossing famous Maral farm return to the Tungur BC. 20 km, 7-8 hrs, - 450 m.

Day 7

Transfer to the starting point of rafting part - Tyuguryuk village. Start rafting down the Koksa river (left tributary of Katun). The stream is fast and in two hours comes to the Gromotukhinsky rapid (2 grade). In 40-50 min we moor to the Ust-Koksa village. We stay on a small island at Katun. 30 km, 4-5 hrs.

Day
8

Rafting downstream Katun river. In the beginning of the Uymonskaya valley Katun forks into many branches. Camp in the surroundings of the Multa village, excursion to the Roerich Museum in the village of Verkhniy (Upper) Uimon. 30 km, 4-5 hrs.

Day 9

Rafting on Katun Multa – Tiungur. The stream is very fast. There are some small rapids. Dinner in the cafe and overnight at a base. 30 km, 5-6 hrs.

Oroktoy stream - Tukhman River (2000 m). We ride through deep Siberian taiga then climb up to alpine meadows. Overnight at a picturesque meadow with great panoramic view of Mt. Belukha (4506 m), the highest summit of Altai and entire Siberia, and surrounding peaks.14 km, 6-7 hrs.

Day
4

Tukhman River – Tomul Pass - Muinoh Range - Soen Chadyr river - Sarakgh river mouse - Koir river. Quite long ride. After the pass, we climb up to the mountain plateau, from here we can see breathtaking viws to Katun Belki ("Belki" means snow-covered range). On the way to Muinoh we'll find the Prayer Stone, where, as the legend says, the most powerful Altai shaman left his tungur (tamburin). The descent to Koir river is quite steep - we lead on the horses here. 15 km, 5-6 hrs.

Day 5

Koir River - Bartuldak Pass - upstream Bartuldak River - Green Camp. Short day, so we can enjoy the views as long as we want. Camping on a small but nice lake shore. 18 km, 2-3 hrs.

Day 6

Green Camp - Suluairy Pass - Suluairy river - Tekelu Pass - Tekelu River. Hard day. Long ride, but we'll be rewarded with magificient views from the Suluairy Pass: upper Tekelu Gorge, Tekelu Glacier. Interesting detail: today we follow the way which during the Civil War in Russia (1918-1934) was used both by Red Army (bolsheviks) and White Army (anti-communist forces) to look after each other. One more beautiful lake en route. We can meet teke (Marco Polo ram) on Tekelu Pass. 35 km, 8-9 hrs.

Ak-kem - the Karaturek pass (3060 m). Climbing up the Karatiurek pass is really a serious endurance test. The descend from the pass is steep and goes on medium size talus. Proceed further down through cedar forest, we reach big and really beautiful Kucherla Lake, where we stay overnight on the lake shore. 23 km, 6-7 hrs.

Not included: Travel to and from Barnaul,
visa fees, alcoholic beverages and other luxuries, personal items.

Hirseride and rafting conditions:
The route is not difficult and doesn’t require any special skills. But horse riding experience is obligatory for you to feel more comfortable when riding for several hours. Hiking and trekking experience is a great advantage. There will be horsemen-supervisors to help. On some steep ascents or descents it might be necessary to dismount the horse. We travel in a remote and unpopu-lated area, and there are no conveniences. There may be precipitation. The day temperature is +10...+30, temperature at night 0... +10, sometimes downn to -5. The route for rafting isn’t difficult, I-II grade. The guide has the right to change the program due to bad weather and the other unfavourable circumstances.

Meals:
We provide the participants with 3 meals a day. In the base camps meals are served in a cafe. On the trek the food is cooked on the open fire by a guide or cook. We also provide vegetarian meals upon inquire.

Equipment: We provide the group with tents, cooking pots, fire equipment, rafting gear (incl. life vests, helmets, waterproof bags), first-aid kit. You should have the following gear in private use: foam sleeping mat (available for rent), 3 seasons sleeping bag (available for rent); 3 seasons jacket, shorts, t-shirt for hot weather, warm clothes (in the night it gets cold), trekking boots, waterproofs, backpack of 60-100 liters, sun glasses, UVF cream, personal tin ware, usual sneakers and wooly socks will also do. For rafting: wooly tracksuit, footwear - special, neoprene slip-peers are ideal. One should have two complete sets of clothes, at the minimum. One - for rafting, which is prone to get wet, the other - for the camp (there can be a shirt, jeans, a sweater, etc.) .

Cost: for an offer!

Included:
meeting and seeing off in Barnaul, 1 night hotel accomodation (**DBL)
in Barnaul, transportation to the Tungur (start point) and return, all
permits and local fees, visa registration, tent accommodationat at Tungur BC on days 1 and 6; FB (except meals in Barnaul and on the way Barnaul - Tiungur - Barnaul); horseride and rafting guides; horses for DD1...6; camping gear (tents, cooking utensil), rafting gear.

Not included: Travel to and from Barnaul, visa fees, alcoholic
beverages and other luxuries, personal items.